Ferndale has a new Girls Basketball Coach

Ferndale has a new Girls Basketball Coach

by | Nov 13, 2025 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Ferndale has a new Girls Basketball Coach.

Written Wednesday November 12th at 11:35 PM

The Eagles have a new girls basketball coach.

Ferndale named April Johnson as their new head coach. The MHSAA website confirmed the hire.

Johnson played at Detroit Renaissance and played at Bethune Cookham University. She played point guard and brings experience into the program.

Johnson takes over a program that has a ton of questions. Program strength is a serious concern and will be something to watch. Ferndale won ten games and a district crown last season but the Eagles saw a mass exit leave the school and head elsewhere. Johnson will be tasked into rebuilding the program and also getting non conference games for her new program.

Ferndale will be in the Blue with Adams, Southfield Arts and Tech, Harper Woods, Troy, and Troy Athens this season. They are in a tough district which has Ferndale University, Birmingham Detroit Country Day, Madison Heights Lamphere, Center Line, and Hazel Park which could be at Birmingham Detroit Country Day but it’s not confirmed yet.

The Eagles have only two players according to my notes coming back in Zahra Richardson and JaNiya Larry but it’s unknown if they are in the program. Ferndale was not at Media Day on Tuesday at Groves.

The first day for girls basketball tryouts is November 19th.

Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.

MHSAA website confirming the hire.

Ferndale has a new Girls Basketball Coach

Football Regional Final Preview

by | Nov 13, 2025 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Football Regional Final Preview.

Written Sunday November 9th at 1:15 PM

This will be updated later today for Groves game against either St. Clair Shores Lakeview or Grosse Pointe South.

HARPER WOODS vs Dearborn Divine Child at Westland John Glenn: Saturday 1 PM

The Pioneers really haven’t been tested in the first two weeks of the postseason (Macomb Lutheran North, Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy) but this week that changes when Dearborn Divine Child comes back to Beaconsfield Street to play Harper Woods in a rematch that was won by Harper Woods in the district finals 40-21 last season. The Pioneers have a ton of proven stars as mentioned in the blog. The Falcons have a proven quarterback in Drew Sheridan, who is the brother of former Michigan quarterback Nick Sheridan along with running back Marcello Vitti. Both have been very instrumental in their postseason success. This should be a very interesting matchup on Saturday afternoon with the winner likely seeing Goodrich pending if they get by Williamson in the Division Four State Semifinals.

GROVES at St. Clair Shores Lakeview: Friday 7 PM

The Jeremiah Whitley show has taken over the Falcons along with a timely defense (Warren Cousino 36-22 in the district finals.) Whitley has had nine touchdowns in two games in the postseason but lets see how this young Groves squad handle going into Macomb County. The Falcons will get the Huskies in a very interesting matchup of two teams with different styles. Groves likes to balance things out while St. Clair Shores Lakeview likes to run the Wing T offense which is a time possession offense. The Huskies will rotate seven different running backs (including Brennan Johnson, Logan Grubb, and Dallas Harris who combined for over 180 rushing yards against Grosse Pointe South) plus they have a quarterback in Gavin McGee who is also very efficient as a runner in the Wing T offense. St. Clair Shores Lakeview has wins over Utica Eisenhower (30-27), Lapeer (21-7), and Port Huron Northern (21-14). They beaten Grosse Pointe South twice including a 25-22 win in week seven and a 24-7 win in the district finals with both games in Grosse Pointe and it was their first district crown in school history. The key to this game is possessions for both teams as mentioned. The Huskies like to limit the opposing team’s possessions and play time possession football while the Falcons want to play balanced football. The winner will get Gibraltar Carlson or Dexter in the Division Two State Semifinals.

ADAMS vs Romeo: Friday 7 PM

The Highlanders have been rolling through their city rivals (Rochester, Stoney Creek) this postseason. They will have a rematch with Romeo in the regional finals at Highlander Stadium. Adams beat the Bulldogs 39-7 in week one but Romeo is a much different team than they were from week one. The Bulldogs won the Macomb Area Conference Red crown and is coming off a 56-0 blowout of bitter Macomb Area Conference Red rival Macomb Dakota at Dan Barnabo Field. The Highlanders present a lot of challenges for Romeo. This should be a very interesting game on Adams and Tienken Roads. Whoever wins this game will get Saline or Detroit Cass Tech in the Division One State Semifinals.

CLARKSTON vs Novi Detroit Catholic Central: Friday 7 PM

The Wolves and Shamrocks are no strangers to one another, it was Clarkston that won the Division One State crown at Novi Detroit Catholic Central’s expense in 2013 and 2017 at Ford Field. The Wolves have been rolling since the Harper Woods game (lost 27-21) but this will be Clarkston’s gravest challenge in form of who the Shamrocks have with multiple players that are Division One bound talents. Novi Detroit Catholic Central has a set of brothers in Samson Gash and Gideon Gash whom both have been dominant this postseason along with an experienced quarterback in Duke Banta. They also have Cedrick Williams who has also made some noise at running back. Novi Detroit Catholic Central has a huge offensive line along with a solid defense. The Shamrocks really haven’t been tested this postseason with two blowout wins over Hartland and Brighton. Clarkston has a very experienced team and it’s defense has seen quarterbacks in Jaxson Dosh (Davison) and Jake Murrow (Grand Blanc) this postseason. This will be the Wolves gravest challenge but the good news for Clarkston is they have athletes too and the game is at Clarkston not at Novi.

AG Nessel Calls on FCC to Expand Multilingual Emergency Alerts

AG Nessel Calls on FCC to Expand Multilingual Emergency Alerts

by | Nov 13, 2025 | Regional News

Michigan Department of Attorney General Press Release banner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 12, 2025

Media Contact:
Danny Wimmer

Attorney General Nessel Calls on FCC to Expand Multilingual Emergency Alerts

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined a coalition of 18 other attorneys general and New York City in demanding the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) immediately publish a long-delayed rule (PDF) that would substantially expand language access for critical government emergency alerts sent to cell phones and other mobile devices. The rule, finalized and unanimously adopted by the FCC in January 2025, would expand emergency alerts to 13 additional languages, as well as American Sign Language (ASL). However, for the last ten months, the FCC has been refusing to move to implement it. In a letter to the FCC, Attorney General Nessel and the coalition warn that if the rule is not submitted for publication within 30 days, they are prepared to take legal action.

“Emergency alerts are designed to reach and protect all members of our communities, and they are only truly effective when they reach people in the languages they understand,” Nessel said. “The FCC has delayed the implementation of this much-needed rule for far too long, and I stand with my colleagues in calling for the FCC to do their job and make sure this life-saving rule is finally put into action.”

Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) are short, text-like messages sent by government agencies through cell carriers to warn the public of imminent threats, such as severe weather, natural disasters, missing persons, or public safety emergencies. These alerts are among the most widely used and effective public warning tools in the United States, but have historically been issued only in English, with Spanish alerts being supported only in recent years. In 2023, the FCC voted to expand to additional languages, and in January 2025, it formally adopted the Multilingual Alerts Order, which requires the implementation of pre-translated alert templates in the 13 most commonly spoken non-English languages and ASL. The order dictates that once the rule is published in the Federal Register, wireless carriers will have 30 months to update their systems to support multilingual alerts.

Nearly ten months after adopting the order, however, the FCC has yet to officially publish it. Because the 30-month implementation period begins only upon publication, the FCC’s inaction has stalled nationwide efforts to modernize the emergency alert system and ensure that more non-English-speaking communities receive timely, life-saving information during disasters or other emergencies. Without expanded language accessibility for WEAs, non-English speakers nationwide lack access to critical information to protect themselves and their families from severe weather and other emergencies.

Attorney General Nessel and the coalition note that the Administrative Procedure Act and the FCC’s own regulations require the agency to publish adopted rules in the Federal Register. By refusing to do so, the coalition argues, the FCC is violating federal law. The demand letter notes that the agency remains obligated to perform this non-discretionary duty even during the ongoing federal government shutdown.

Joining Attorney General Nessel in sending the demand letter are the attorneys general of Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawai’i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin, as well as New York City.
MDHHS seeks input from older adults for new state plan

MDHHS seeks input from older adults for new state plan

by | Nov 13, 2025 | Health and Wellness

MDHHS banner with logo no names

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 13, 2025

CONTACT: Laina Stebbins, 517-241-2112, StebbinsL@michigan.gov

MDHHS seeks input from older adults for new state plan

LANSING, Michigan. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Bureau of Aging, Community Living, and Supports (ACLS Bureau) is inviting the public to join Community Conversations online and throughout the state to discuss the needs of older adult residents.

State Units on Aging are tasked under the Older Americans Act with developing and administering a multi-year State Plan on Aging that provides goals and objectives related to assisting older residents, their families and caregivers. The State Plan on Aging serves as a blueprint that outlines coordination and advocacy activities to meet the needs of older adults and for building capacity for long-term care efforts.

MDHHS is seeking input regarding the needs and gaps in programs and services that impact quality of life for older residents. The Community Conversations will run through Wednesday, Nov. 20 at various locations across the state and in a separate online forum. Those interested in providing information on the needs of older adults are encouraged to participate in one of the community forums or complete a survey. The survey, which is available online and in paper form in English, Spanish and Arabic, will remain open through Monday, Dec. 15.

“Michigan is home to more than 2.4 million older adults, representing about one-quarter of the total state population,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “The voices of Michigan’s older adults are critical to the development of a state plan that effectively addresses the needs of older adults and caregivers. These conversations provide the opportunity to hear directly from the public about their experiences related to aging, including their knowledge of available supports and services.”

The information gathered during the Community Conversations and from survey responses will be used to identify priorities for MDHHS in support of the health and well-being of Michigan’s older adult population. A draft plan will go before the State’s Commission on Services to the Aging for approval before being submitted to the Federal Administration for Community Living by Wednesday, July 1, 2026, for an effective date of Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, and for implementation during Fiscal Years 2027 through 2029.

For a current list of Community Conversation locations, dates and times, or to access the survey,  visit the State Plan on Aging webpage.

Space may be limited and organizers request RSVPs for planning purposes. Please RSVP to the locations listed in the schedule and contact the host sites for additional information regarding accessibility needs.
MDHHS honor dedication of state’s 1.7 million caregivers

MDHHS honor dedication of state’s 1.7 million caregivers

by | Nov 13, 2025 | Health and Wellness

MDHHS banner with logo no names

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 13, 2025

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, Sutfinl1@michigan.gov  

Governor Whitmer, MDHHS honor dedication of state’s
1.7 million caregivers during Family Caregivers Month
New online resource, Mi Caregiver Connection, launched to provide support

LANSING, Mich. – As part of a national effort to raise awareness about the critical role family caregivers play in providing a broad range of assistance for older adults, service members, veterans, people with disabilities and those with serious or chronic health conditions, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has proclaimed November as Family Caregivers Month in Michigan.

“We are recognizing the commitment of the nearly 1.7 million family caregivers in our state who step up and step in every day to ensure their loved ones can live in their own homes and communities for as long as possible regardless of age or disability,” said Elizabeth Hertel, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) director. “We are committed to supporting these caregivers not only this month, but every month.”

As part of an effort to support the state’s caregivers, the Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan recently launched Mi Caregiver Connection, an online caregiver resource center. The resource links caregivers with local level services and support. Michigan’s area agencies on aging serve as the planning and service area for Michigan’s State Unit on Aging within MDHHS.

“The Commission on Services to the Aging welcomes the Governor’s recognition of the important work done by family caregivers to help older adults remain safely at home,” said Commissioner Nancy Duncan. “We are also excited about the launch of the Mi Caregiver Connection, which will provide new tools and resources for family caregivers throughout the state.”

According to the national organization, Caregiver Action Network, more than half of those providing care in the United States do not recognize themselves as caregivers. Caregiving can include day-to-day support as well as periodic tasks such as attending doctor’s appointments, maintaining and assisting with medications and helping to manage finances.

“There are millions of caregivers striving every day to help their loved ones who are in need of ongoing, daily personal care assistance,” said Bob Schleuter, Commission on Services to the Aging chairperson. “Family Caregiver Month helps to acknowledge the demands and stress, but also the rewards of taking care of a family member or friend every day. It is important that more people understand just what it takes to make sure that all of our loved ones receive the best personal care possible.”

For more information on supporting caregivers, visit Mi Caregiver Connection.